Announce

Asia's developing nations are in various stages of the long-term process of "state building" - some enjoying political stability and sustained economic growth while others suffer from deep-rooted poverty, social conflict and terrorism. Japan and Germany, which both underwent their own dramatic rebuilding in the wake of World War II, today share a common commitment to actively support ongoing state-building among emerging nations.

Rapid globalization and other new challenges have complicated this process. Financial crises, climate change, terrorism and the spread of infectious diseases know no frontiers and countries can now no longer builder and prosper in isolation. It has become more critical for the international community to make concentrated efforts to tackle these problems and create stable communities based on the concept of ‘human security' - enhancing capacity of a state to protect people from threats and fears, and respecting the basic rights of local communities and individuals and involving them in building a safe and prosperous future.

With the new administrations in place after recent general elections in Japan and Germany, what are the appropriate roles for these two countries in the process of state-building in such an unpredictable world?

This symposium will focus on state-building in Asia, and the respective roles of the international community, Japan and Germany. First, we will review recent discussions and practices of state-building, examining in particular the situations in Cambodia and Indonesia including the roles of Japan and Germany. Discussion will follow on events in Afghanistan, particularly since 2001, and the key challenges for building an effective state, and the future direction of assistance by Japan and Germany.

While fully recognizing the diversity and uniqueness of state-building in each country, we wish to share lessons learned and find future directions of development cooperation by the international community, including Japan and Germany. We wish to do so, with participation of prominent speakers from both countries such as members of parliaments, senior government officials, aid practitioners, journalists as well as key figures from partner countries and international organizations.

We look forward to your participation.

Program （Japanese)

Program （English)